Oct 3, 2020 10:30:48 GMT
rach78
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 8
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Post by rach78 on Oct 4, 2020 12:21:27 GMT
Thank you for all your kind replies about the death of my lovely Esther. Audrey has been quieter since understandably, but is eating & drinking and responding to music and wild bird noise a little like she always has, just not nearly as much ❤️ She does seem a little lost, keeps looking around the cage and looking at me. I know it’s very soon and I’m not sure how soon is too soon but I’m considering another little buddy for her, in the long run I’m assuming it’s the best thing for her. My questions are, should I get another female as I definitely don’t want a male & female to mate, should I get a slightly older one so that’s Audrey is not way older, and what advice would you give for introducing a new friend to Audrey? Thanks
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Apr 18, 2024 20:16:24 GMT
Deleted
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2020 12:55:46 GMT
A male would be the 'safer' option in my mind. Hens are more likely to fight with each other over their territory, not always but the likelihood is greater. If you don't want them to mate then make sure you don't provide anything that could be mistaken as a nest.
I've only had males myself so I'm sure some of the more experienced members who've had both will be able to advise you better.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Oct 4, 2020 15:41:44 GMT
Marianne Marlow recently mentioned in a thread that she's had males and females for many years and never had a problem. I think Hezz also has males and females and maybe she'll share her thoughts on that. I tend to agree with @sillycat84 that getting a male is probably safer in terms of them getting along. During the 30 day quarantine if you get a new budgie, they'll be able to hear each other chirping and calling back and forth so that may comfort Audrey.
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Post by mona on Oct 4, 2020 17:13:54 GMT
I have a male-female pair for almost year.. My mom has similar pairs for more than 3 years.. I haven't come across such issue. However, other experienced members would be able to tell better.
I have seen my female budgie cookie & other female budgies at my mom's dominating over food, sleeping area etc. whereas male budgies are kind of cool and adjust accordingly. They are very chatty and once they are bonded, male budgies are very caring towards the female budgie too.. that's the case atleast for me and my mom's budgies! But then, every budgie has it's own personality!
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Post by Hezz on Oct 5, 2020 1:28:52 GMT
How old is Audrey? Whether you get another bird for company for Audrey may depend on how you feel she is being on her own. If obviously lonely, it's a no-brainer - definitely get her a friend. If she seems to be happy enough and seeking your company, it is possible that it is not necessarily something that needs to be addressed. Give her a little time and see how she is. All the comments above have merit. Introducing another hen into your hen's space is going to cause trouble more likely than not. Hens generally do not get on well with only their own. You had two hens who probably were either siblings or together from an early age and were fine with each other's company, and you might just fluke it and have another hen be totally fine with Audrey, but it would not be the expected outcome. As mona has said, the males are generally more easy going. It might still be a hard fit, getting a buddy for your little hen, since she has not had to put up with a male's attention but most hens will simply put a male in his place if the attention is unwanted. As long as you have nothing in the cage to suggest a nest, the chances of Audrey feeling the need to breed is very remote. If you do decide to get a friend for her, you will need another cage for this new bird to be quarantined in. This is the time to put new birdy in the larger cage and Audrey the smaller; when quarantine is over you will introduce Audrey to the new bird in the cage it has been using, rather than the other way round - never introduce another bird into a hen's domain; she will react very badly. It is akin to a stranger walking into your house and settling down in front of the TV.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Oct 5, 2020 14:56:48 GMT
" It is akin to a stranger walking into your house and settling down in front of the TV." Good way to put it Hezz
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Oct 3, 2020 10:30:48 GMT
rach78
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 8
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Post by rach78 on Oct 6, 2020 10:36:31 GMT
How old is Audrey? Whether you get another bird for company for Audrey may depend on how you feel she is being on her own. If obviously lonely, it's a no-brainer - definitely get her a friend. If she seems to be happy enough and seeking your company, it is possible that it is not necessarily something that needs to be addressed. Give her a little time and see how she is. All the comments above have merit. Introducing another hen into your hen's space is going to cause trouble more likely than not. Hens generally do not get on well with only their own. You had two hens who probably were either siblings or together from an early age and were fine with each other's company, and you might just fluke it and have another hen be totally fine with Audrey, but it would not be the expected outcome. As mona has said, the males are generally more easy going. It might still be a hard fit, getting a buddy for your little hen, since she has not had to put up with a male's attention but most hens will simply put a male in his place if the attention is unwanted. As long as you have nothing in the cage to suggest a nest, the chances of Audrey feeling the need to breed is very remote. If you do decide to get a friend for her, you will need another cage for this new bird to be quarantined in. This is the time to put new birdy in the larger cage and Audrey the smaller; when quarantine is over you will introduce Audrey to the new bird in the cage it has been using, rather than the other way round - never introduce another bird into a hen's domain; she will react very badly. It is akin to a stranger walking into your house and settling down in front of the TV. Hi Hezz, Audrey is about two and a half. She actually seems ok I think but definitely wants to be near us. I work from home mostly but also have to go out for a couple of hours at a time so I hate the thought of her being lonely when I’m out. Her & Esther were together from a very young age and I’d say they had a love/hate relationship although the ‘hate’ wasn’t all that problematic, they’d squabble verbally but there was never any physical harm except Esther would want to sit where Audrey was and shoo her off. Audrey is a very chilled hen though abs never seemed bothered. I think I’ll leave it a little longer and see how she is. Thanks for all your advice, I didn’t know that you should put your bird in a different cage and a new bird in the original cage so that’s really helpful if I do decide to get her a male friend. Do they not wonder why they’ve been moved out during quarantine?! Thank again :-)
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Apr 18, 2024 20:16:24 GMT
Deleted
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2020 10:58:05 GMT
It's not necessarily the original cage, just that the male needs to be in the larger cage that they're both going to be living in.
Not really. Last time I quarantined I ended up switching my budgies around. My old one wasn't bothered, but he got the larger space.
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Oct 3, 2020 10:30:48 GMT
rach78
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 8
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Post by rach78 on Oct 6, 2020 11:02:28 GMT
It's not necessarily the original cage, just that the male needs to be in the larger cage that they're both going to be living in. Not really. Last time I quarantined I ended up switching my budgies around. My old one wasn't bothered, but he got the larger space. Ah I see, thank you
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Post by Hezz on Oct 7, 2020 1:43:46 GMT
Like I said, moving another bird into your hen's space is like a stranger setting up house in your house without invitation. You would be pi**ed off; I know I would, and a hen feels the same way about "her" house. So if you have to buy another, bigger cage, or already have a cage suitable for two budgies, the idea is that when quarantine is over your resident hen moves into the new bird's cage, not the other way around. New bird hasn't had the time to get territorial about its space, and the males just don't usually, anyway.
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